Locking mechanism



Nov. 27, 1928. 1,692,878

F. J. WATTS- LOCKING MECHANISM Filed March 1927 Patented Nov. 27,1928.

UNITED STATES 1,692,818 PATENT OFFICE.

FELIX J. WATTS, F BBON SON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB 'IO HARRY A. DOUGLAS, 0!-

BRONSON, MICHIGAN.

LOCKING. MECHANISM.

Application filed larch 7, 1927. Serial No. 173,585.

My invention relates to switches which jointly control an electric circuit, such as consecution switchesincluded serially in said circuit, and to locking mechanism in control- I ling relation to said switches.

In accordance with one characteristic of the invention, a key receiving element is employed in which a suitably formed key may be inserted by longitudinal movement there- 0 of, one' or each of a. plurality of electric switches having an operating member ac- 'cessible for switch actuating engagement by and consequent upon the insertion of the key.

My invention is of particular use for controlling the ignition system of an internal combustion engine that is included in the power plant of an automobile or other automotive vehicle. In adapting iny invention to such a system, the switches are serially included in the primary or inducing circuit,

the switches being so arranged that this circuit is closed when the key is inserted and is opened when the key is removed, the switches which have been actuated by the key being constrained to opening adjustment upon removal of the key.

In the referred embodiment of the invention, I aso employ aiswitch which is constrained to a closing adjustment, the ward formation of the key permitting this switch to remain in closing adjustment, .the purpose being to provide a normally. closed switch which may be placed in opening adjustment when the lock is being picked. I

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken on line 1--1 of Fig, 2; Fig. 2 is a front view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 with a key shown in section; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a sectional view ofa part of the structure on alarger scale;

and Fig. 6 -is adiagram of one circuit .ar-

rangement.

The circuit shown includes a primary winding 1 which has one terminal grounded through a circuit interrupter 2 whose contacts are shunted by wcondenser 3, the circuit interrupter 2 being grounded through a battery 4 by way of the lock controlled switches, diagrammatically indicated at 5, 6, 7 and 8 serially included in the same circuitwith said primary and battery. The secondary winding 9 to the primary 1 also has one terminal grounded through the circuit interrupter 2 and has its other terminal connected with the revolving arm 10 of adistributor, this arm being adapted for successive engagement with waiting contacts 11 that are connected with electrodes 12 of the spark plugs suplied to the cylinders of an internal comustion engine.

Each of the switches includes a plunger 13 which passes through a partition 14 formed in the key receiving element or casing 15 of a lock, these lungers havin switch operating heads 16 t at are receiva ble in a recess or space 17 in said casing and also having staggered key enga-geable heads 18 receivable in the key receiving space 19 of said casing. Coiled springs 20 press upon the heads 18 and, in the absence of the key 21, serve to place the switch actuating heads 16 against the insulating strip 22 in the recess 17 When the springs thus function, the switches 5, 7 and .8 are in open adjustment and the switch 6 is in closed adjustment. The key 21 has a ward formation which is engageable with the heads 18 that pertain to the switches 5, 7 and 8 to place these switches in closed adjustment, this ward formation permitting the switch 6 to remain in closed adjustment. In order to pick the lock it is necessary to adjust the switches 5, 7 and 8 to closed positions but the switch 6 must not have its closed position disturbed. The ignition circuit is thus locked open when the key is absent from the lock, being readily placed in closed adjustment when the key is present in the lock.

The switch operating head of each plunger 13 desirably includes a fiber collar 23. which is surrounded by a metallic sleeve 24 ofdouble conical formation furnishing a cont-act spring engaging element that is of V-shape in crosssection. When each switch is in circuit closing adjustment, the contact springs 25 are suitably engaged by the metallic sleeve 24 to connect these contacts, such contacts of the various switches being in serial relation.

When the coiled springs 20 pertaining to switches 5, 7 and 8 function, they serve to place the metallic sleeves 24 .of the switch eads 16 out of connection with the correspending spring contacts 25. When the coiled spring of switch 6 functions, it serves to place the metallic sleeve 24 of the'head 16 of this switch in connection with the contacts 25 pertaining thereto.

. claim: 1. The combination with a key receiving from the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I

element; of an electric switching mechanism 7 employing a lurality of contacts having up crating mem rs accessible for engagement within the key receiving passage of said'key receiving element, one of said contacts being normally constrained to a closed position and oneto an open position; and a key having a ward formation engageable with one of said members to operate the contact pertaining thereto and being free of the other contact operating member when the first contact operating member is operated.

2. The combination with a key receiving casin of aninwardly spring pressed lunger w ose inner end 1s positioned to engageable b the ward formation of a key inserted wit in the casing; and an electric switch governed by said plunger and inclusive of a contact carried by and at the outer end thereof and a contact complemental to the aforesaid contact and rmanently mounted upon the casing apart 53111 the plunger.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my-namey f FELIX J. .WATT S'. 

